Looking at Cheap Secure Local Filesharing Device to Stream Videos from, Already Have Videos on USB Stick

• 

  Morien on 05/10/2022 - 21:16

  +1

  If your router has local file sharing, just do that. It's secure enough.

  Edit: Just to add some more information so it doesn't look like I'm not being helpful. If you purchased a device like you are suggesting, it would mean your gran would have to connect to a different wifi network each time she wants to watch her videos. Is she going to know how to switch between networks all the time?

  Honestly, security isn't really a concern here. You're better off changing her SSID and wireless password from default than purchasing any extra hardware like that.

  • 

    harshbdmmaster718 on 06/10/2022 - 17:46

    Thanks for the additional info. While I think changing WiFi connection is quite straight forward, I can see this message on the horizon "The internet doesn't work!!".

    As other comments recommend I guess the straightforward USB stick in router will work best. I have set it up already once with that method in the past. Do you think putting a password to access the files is a good idea? Being a dumb consumer I don't quite know the details but I heard leaving a USB plugged in was not a good idea once.

    • 

      Morien on 06/10/2022 - 19:57

      I mean, is security really that much of a concern?

      I understand the principle of it, but it goes back to the old adage: I don't have to run faster than a bear, I just have to run faster than you.

      Just ensure that the wireless password is on, and if you really want to, that the SSID isn't the default. For bonus points, change her ISP to one with CG-NAT that is notoriously difficult to run a server on even if you wanted to.

      • 

        harshbdmmaster718 on 06/10/2022 - 19:59

        Yeah just want to safe is all.

        Also by wireless password do you mean for the WiFi? So a file sharing password blocking access to the files is not necessary?

        • 

          Morien on 06/10/2022 - 22:10

          @harshbdmmaster718: Just the wifi password. I mean, you don't even really need to change that (just having one is enough), but if you want to feel more secure, why not? You don't need to put a password on the files.

          • 

            harshbdmmaster718 on 06/10/2022 - 22:40

            @Morien: Alright thanks so much for your help.
            I am probably over thinking things but thoughts I had were that plugging a USB stick into the ISP modem/router was like "closer" to the actual internet connection than a device so it would be less secure. If that makes sense I know there are security measures in place on each device but I just thought the further down the line from the ISP router the safer. Such as each PC or tablet having it's own operating system and antivirus or "firewall" would be more secure than the router if that makes sense.
            And I don't fully understand VPN's but having a local VPN server running in between your modem/router and WiFi would be an additional layer of security.
            But I guess for the average person this is probably over thinking it.

            Again thanks for your responses they helped.

• 

  spackbace on 05/10/2022 - 21:32

  +1

  from her tablet

  What sort of tablet? Could you arrange some form of usb hub to play from, or a large sized sd/microsd card?

  Failing that, rip to movie files (or download fresh), and host a Plex server at your end and enable her to remote play? That way she's not restricted to just those, and you can update the library at your will (hey mum, just got that latest movie you were asking about)

  • 

    Raj09 on 06/10/2022 - 00:35

    Get Web cast for TV on android. It works on local files.

    • 

      harshbdmmaster718 on 06/10/2022 - 17:52

      Yeah I have done the Router file sharing temporarily in the past for a few movies I had in my backup. I just use the VLC app and join the UPNP option. Then watch movie, after finishing watching movie then unplug USB. I just heard somewhere it's not great for security to leave the USB plugged in all the time.

  • 

    harshbdmmaster718 on 06/10/2022 - 17:49

    +1

    Yeah I think plugging the USB stick directly into the tablet would be more straight forward and make sense especially for older folk, but I am kind of worried because they are very clumsy that they will knock whatever is plugged in and damage the charging port quick.

    The files are already on the USB stick, I think the router method is going to be the most straight forward so I will go with that. No real plans to update the library lol that would mean ripping a tonne more of DVD's. Already went through the process a few years ago, asked which she was most likely to watch and did a big batch. She also has streaming apps for all other content which is already familiar so that's all sorted.

• 

  Boioioioi on 05/10/2022 - 22:18

  +1

  Yeah just use the ISP provided routers USB port. I used to do this to stream shows to my TV with my Telstra router and a portable HDD plugged into it.

  • 

    harshbdmmaster718 on 06/10/2022 - 17:58

    Alright thanks looks like this is the best option.